Sword group was rightists' cover

The Asahi Shimbun/December 20, 2003

Businessman Ichiro Murakami yearned for the `pure' Japan of the samurai age.

Ichiro Murakami, arrested Friday in connection with a string of shootings in the name of rightist groups, rallied like-minded people with his association of Japanese sword aficionados.

Acquaintances recalled his extreme nationalist views.

A self-employed man in Aichi Prefecture who got to know Murakami, 54, about 10 years ago through their mutual hobby of sword collecting said the rightist often espoused anti-American views. He recalled Murakami saying it was possible to ``change the hearts of 10,000 people with the sound of a single gunshot.''

Indeed, the very names of the groups thought to be associated with Murakami, and which claimed responsibility for the attacks, have telling names: Kenkoku Giyugun (nation-building volunteer corps) and Kokuzoku Seibatsutai (troops to conquer traitors to Japan).

They claimed responsibility for attacks on Aum Shinrikyo facilities in Tokyo and Osaka as well as a teachers' union office in Hiroshima. Murakami and five others were arrested in connection with those incidents.

In a monthly newsletter for Token Tomonokai (Sword lovers' group), Murakami once wrote, ``This is a group of modern samurai with a wish to do their best in turning Japan into a true independent nation.''

He also said, ``(The nation's) traitors must die and disappear quickly.''

In May 2001, Murakami claimed he went ashore on the uninhabited Senkaku Islands claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan. He also posted a photo of himself holding a Japanese sword on the group's Web site. He likened his action to that of a ``Japanese with good sense.''

The group also saluted Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Lower House lawmaker Shingo Nishimura for visiting one of the islands in 1997, calling him the group's top adviser.

Each newsletter includes an invitation for readers to join the group. It says, ``As honorable Japanese, we refuse to put up with further dishonor.''

One time it described his fellow countrymen as living a ``weird existence like jellyfish that float in the ocean with only primitive desires for food and sex.'' The newsletter blamed the postwar occupation forces' General Headquarters for poisoning the Japanese spirit.

The group is headquartered at Murakami's sword business, founded in 1977, in Gifu.

Murakami initially traded in Western-style knives but started to deal in Japanese swords about four years ago, according to business acquaintances.

His business thrived mainly through mail order and his promise to buy back swords at 70 percent of the initial sales price.

But Murakami stopped appearing at business events about a year ago, they said.

He was, however, visible when it came to the activities of his sword-loving group. The association claims a membership of 30,000. Anyone who purchased a sword through Murakami was considered a member. Nothing much is known about the group.

Aides of lawmaker Nishimura said the politician first met Murakami four or five years ago when they were introduced by a supporter in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.

An aide said Nishimura is currently in a hospital. The aide said Nishimura viewed Murakami's association as a hobby group and would likely resign as adviser if the charges against Murakami prove true.